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The Origins of Art

A Free Public Lecture Series

Recent discoveries have pushed the boundaries of art making into unimaginable depths of time and across diverse geographies bringing to light the crucial role of images in the cognitive development of the human mind. Taking up Aby Warburg’s lead in the questioning of the formations and fundamental principles of image making and its cultural values, this lecture series seeks to explore the origins of art from a cross-disciplinary perspective.

Six leading experts will share their research on prehistoric art, from climate change to early faces, asking fundamental questions that should porve fruitful for all researchers. The Origins of Art speaks to an interdisciplinary audience who are interested in thinking about art in the widest possible sense and the theoretical implications this has for visual culture of all ages.

The Origins of Art lecture series is organised by the Warburg Institute's Joanne Anderson and Hans-Christian Hönes as part of the Warburg Institute's commitment to public scholarship and collaboration.

The lectures are free of charge and take place in the Lecture Room at the Warburg Institute. There is a reception after each lecture. Please register in advance via: http://bit.ly/OriginsSeries

The Stone Age Origin of Art: What, When, Where, Why and by Whom?

18 January 2017

Professor Steve Mithen, Professor of Early Prehistory and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Reading